Do We Finally Have a Sheriff?

In the small town of Luray, the past 8 years have been rough. Page County has been referred to as the "Corrupt County" following the election of Danny Presgraves.

The events that followed have made the residents miserable.

In the beginning it began to look like there were changes being made. However, it didn't take long for it to all go down hill.

After the first term, Presgraves was elected to a second, that is when everything started coming out.

There were several FBI agents swarming this small county, but all was kept quiet. After months of rumors, the story finally came out. The Sheriff was arrested on twenty-two counts. The charges ranged from bribery to sexual harassment.

In the end, he resigned and an interem Sheriff was selected by a judge. For more than half a year the county stayed in conflict. There were residents who supported the former Sheriff and believed he was innocent. Then there were the rest who were glad he would be gone.

After several witnesses, trials, and victims were interviewed the evidence was shown. Presgraves plead guilty.

The interim Sheriff Thomas took on the task of repairing this broken and "corrupt"(if you will) county. He also prepared for the special election that would take place on November 3rd.

Once all votes were counted, Sheriff Thomas was elected. What does this mean to the county?

Well for one, they can now rest at night knowing that if they are in need there is protection. The protection before seemed to depend on who you were. This was unfair and many suffered from it. These names and incidents are not to be named for their privacy.

Secondly, how would you feel if you couldn't call for help because someone doesn't like you. That is the worst feeling in the world. There was on instance when a man threatened to kill his wife and kids. When she went to the deputy for help, they turned her away and stated he hadn't committed a crime. If he had committed the crime they wouldn't be there to ask for help. Is that what they were waiting for? Or was this all because the lady was a daughter to former secretary that Presgraves didn't like?

Thirdly, the Board of Supervisors had approved of everything put infront of them. This caused a debt for the residents that is unbearable. The taxes were raised by the thousands and jobs were cut by the hundreds. This was a domino effect like no other. The unemployment rate was at it's highest and income at it's lowest. The economy was bad enough, why would the Supervisors make it worse on the families living in this small area.

Finally, the residents of Page County can lift there head up and see a new helpul face, instead of hiding from the world in shame. Many residents stated they were ashamed of where they lived. The actions of their so-called leaders, made a beautiful place look dark and embarrassed.

Now they can see the light at the end of the tunnel. They have officially elected a new Sheriff and can put the past behind them.